WELCOME
The Institute of Masters of Wine is the home of exceptional expertise in the wine world. What started 70 years ago as an exam for the UK wine trade is now a globally recognised title collectively held by a worldwide family of Masters of Wine. Today, there are 414 MWs based in 31 countries, each making their own contribution to the world of wine. Becoming an MW means entering a unique wine community; one that brings enriching personal and professional opportunities, as well as lifelong friendships.
ABOUT US
The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction, and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, our programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn. These tastings and seminars, including our international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
FIND AN MW
The IMW’s directory of Masters of Wine allows you to search not just by name, but also by skills and specialisms. MWs are active all over the world and in all fields; MWs are winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. If you are looking for an MW in a particular country, expert comment on a specific style of wine, a speaker for your event, or experienced commercial advice, look no further.
THE MW EXAM
The MW exam tests the breadth and depth of a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and tasting skills in the art, science and business of wine. By passing the MW exam, you become a member of the IMW, gain the title Master of Wine and can use the initials MW after your name. The MW exam is a series of tasting and theory papers, plus an in-depth research project. You can find out about all stages of the exam, as well as downloading past papers, by clicking below.
Latest News
D.O. Cava becomes an international supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine
D.O. Cava has joined the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) international supporter community. D.O. Cava joins a community of 36 existing supporters across the world helping to bolster the IMW’s mission of excellence and interactions and learning across the global...
Features
2019 Quinta do Noval award winner Edward Ragg MW visits estate
Edward Ragg MW, and his wife Fongyee Walker, a fellow Master of Wine, flew in from China for his prize visit, shortly after Justin Martindale MW, 2022 winner of the Award, also enjoyed his prize. Edward won the Award in 2019, but obviously has only recently been able...
Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation announce the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholars
Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships. These Scholarships offer 3 BAME/BIPOC winners support with their choice of either the MW or MS certification, as well as...
Hochschule Geisenheim University becomes a research and industry associate of the IMW
We are delighted to announce that Hochschule Geisenheim University (Geisenheim) has joined the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) network as a research and industry associate. The university seeks to bolster the Institute’s mission to promote excellence, interaction...
Two new Masters of Wine join the 2023 vintage of MWs
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to welcome two new MWs to the membership. Erin Jolley MW (US) and Andrea Lonardi MW (Italy) are the latest to achieve the title of Master of Wine. There are now 414 MWs across the world based in 31 countries, each making...
The Institute of Masters of Wine announces South Australia as the host of the 11th international symposium
After an incredible four days of tasting, engaging debate and insight from some of the brightest minds in the industry, The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) concluded the 10th international symposium by announcing Adelaide as the next host region for the event, with...
Recap: day four of the symposium
This month, we will be looking back at the daily events of the recent international symposium which was held in Wiesbaden June 29 – July 2. The symposium was hosted by the Federal State of Hessen, Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI) and Wiesbaden Congress and Marketing....
Quinta do Noval Award holder Justin Martindale MW hosted at Quinta estate
Justin Martindale MW from Edinburgh is the current holder of the Quinta do Noval Award for the best dissertation from last year’s crop of MWs. As well as a cheque and a case of mixed wines and ports from Noval, he and his wife were treated to a weekend at the Quinta...
John Downes MW launches ‘Downes in Twenty (Din20)’
Two years ago John Downes MW created ‘Downes in Two’, a series of two minute animations to get an understanding of wine to the consumer and enthusiast alike. Although the animations continue to receive encouraging feedback he realised that they are not so effective,...
In memoriam: Philip Tuck MW
It is with regret that we share the news that Philip Tuck MW tragically passed away during a cycling accident in France on 20 July 2023. Having graduated from Sussex University, Philip started his wine trade career at Avery’s of Bristol in 1986. After five years, his...
Latest News
D.O. Cava becomes an international supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine
D.O. Cava has joined the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) international supporter community. D.O. Cava joins a community of 36 existing supporters across the world helping to bolster the IMW’s mission of excellence and interactions and learning across the global...
Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation announce the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholars
Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships. These Scholarships offer 3 BAME/BIPOC winners support with their choice of either the MW or MS certification, as well as...
Two new Masters of Wine join the 2023 vintage of MWs
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to welcome two new MWs to the membership. Erin Jolley MW (US) and Andrea Lonardi MW (Italy) are the latest to achieve the title of Master of Wine. There are now 414 MWs across the world based in 31 countries, each making...
Hochschule Geisenheim University becomes a research and industry associate of the IMW
We are delighted to announce that Hochschule Geisenheim University (Geisenheim) has joined the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) network as a research and industry associate. The university seeks to bolster the Institute’s mission to promote excellence, interaction...
Features
2019 Quinta do Noval award winner Edward Ragg MW visits estate
Edward Ragg MW, and his wife Fongyee Walker, a fellow Master of Wine, flew in from China for his prize visit, shortly after Justin Martindale MW, 2022 winner of the Award, also enjoyed his prize. Edward won the Award in 2019, but obviously has only recently been able...
Recap: day four of the symposium
This month, we will be looking back at the daily events of the recent international symposium which was held in Wiesbaden June 29 – July 2. The symposium was hosted by the Federal State of Hessen, Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI) and Wiesbaden Congress and Marketing....
John Downes MW launches ‘Downes in Twenty (Din20)’
Two years ago John Downes MW created ‘Downes in Two’, a series of two minute animations to get an understanding of wine to the consumer and enthusiast alike. Although the animations continue to receive encouraging feedback he realised that they are not so effective,...
Quinta do Noval Award holder Justin Martindale MW hosted at Quinta estate
Justin Martindale MW from Edinburgh is the current holder of the Quinta do Noval Award for the best dissertation from last year’s crop of MWs. As well as a cheque and a case of mixed wines and ports from Noval, he and his wife were treated to a weekend at the Quinta...
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